# Mr. Seaman — The Great Impersonation character guide

> Mr. Seaman in The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Otto Seaman, Herr Seaman

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A plump, genial German who calls himself Dominey's old Africa partner, and who watches the servants' windows like a man reading a coded ledger.

## Who they are

Seaman installs himself in Dominey's life with the ease of a man who has been there before, telling mining anecdotes at the Carlton and charming Mangan over wine. But his real work is quieter: he misses trains on purpose, circles back through the snow, and reads footprints outside a locked room where a spy named Johann Wolff vanished. His instinct, he insists, is never wrong — and it is telling him that something in this house is being hidden from him.

## In the story

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/iv)

Revealed as a German-born naturalized Englishman and former business partner of Dominey in Africa; boasts of Dominey's financial success and hints at his own 'hobby' involving Germany and England.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/vi)

Seaman clarifies Dominey's role, arranges a meeting with Terniloff, and mediates with Princess Eiderstrom.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/vii)

Meets Dominey at the Carlton, discusses the Princess's threat, and asks to see a picture of Lady Dominey.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xii)

Arrives unexpectedly at Dominey Hall, claiming urgent business; retires early to speak with Dominey the next morning.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xiii)

Arranges Dominey's trip to Germany and explains the financial and strategic backing of their scheme; warns that Rosamund's friendliness could endanger their cover.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xiv)

Accompanies Dominey to the Kaiser's train; observes Dominey's mood and later introduces him to the suite.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xv)

Observes Dominey's shooting with admiration, hints at undisclosed information about Princess Eiderstrom's visit, and is disliked by the Duchess.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xvi)

Defends Germany against the Duke's accusations, citing his work for Anglo-German understanding and the Kaiser's approval.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xix)

Advises Dominey to consider a secret marriage with Princess Eiderstrom to pacify her.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as someone Dominey might send to talk to the visitor Miller.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxi)

Interrogates Miller, identifies him as Johann Wolff, a spy, and decides the story is a fake.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxii)

Lectures on mines, advises Dominey to placate the Princess, and suggests he visit her in London.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxiii)

Expresses unease about Princess Eiderstrom and Johann Wolff; defends Dominey's loyalty to the espionage cause; pleads with the Princess for patience.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxiv)

Misses his train, investigates Johann Wolff's mysterious departure, and leaves for London to follow an idea.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxv)

Returning from Germany tonight and expected at Berkeley Square to meet Dominey.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxvi)

Arrives with momentous news about Wolff's imprisonment and Germany's imminent war plans; delivers a strategic map to Dominey.

### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/chapters/xxix)

Confronts Dominey about Von Ragastein's death, is handcuffed and arrested by Eddy Pelham.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/characters/seaman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_impersonation_se/characters